In line with the directives and under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), to drive the adoption of online learning among the youth, HBMeU has announced yesterday (Sunday, January 20, 2013) the official launch of its Social Online Learning (SOL) initiative through the social networking site Facebook. The move is part of the University’s strategy to expand its core academic offerings to include competitively-priced social online learning services that feature training courses in math, science, information technology, English language, business skills and leadership for learners of all ages. The initiative was launched during the HBMeU Board of Governors meeting at the Dubai Police Officers Club, in the presence of senior government officials and high-profile academic and business personalities.

The Social Online Learning initiative (SOL) embodies the crucial role of HBMeU in shaping the future of education and learning through creativity and innovation, while significantly contributing to the sustainable social and human development in the region and around the world.

Implemented through a strategic partnership with Global Learning S.A.R.L, a specialist in modern learning methods and techniques, the initiative follows an integrated concept that promotes world-class contemporary learning for UAE-based learners of different nationalities and age groups by offering a convenient learning environment characterized by diversity and quality. It provides learners with an innovative social online learning experience through interactive communication with the best faculty who are keen to provide all needed support and academic guidance. As part of efforts to adapt best international learning practices to local needs, HBMeU further revealed that the online content will also be made available in Arabic language, to reach as many learners as possible in the Arab world and therefore help create positive changes in different local communities.

In line with HBMeU’s commitment to ensure the success of the initiative and reach a broader segment of learners of all ages and social status in the best and fastest way possible, a number of strategic agreements have been signed during a recent conference with prominent local and regional institutions. Aiming to leverage the existing human resources and customer base of the partner institutions to provide the best e-learning service to the community, the agreements were signed with Zein Group, Emirates NBD, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and ARAMEX among others. The e-learning service initially targets more than 2 million casual learners, while HBMeU aims to eventually expand the scope of the service by signing more strategic agreements with major enterprises, including mobile service operators and banking institutions in the Middle East, Africa and South and West Asia.

H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police Chief and Chairman of HBMeU's Board of Governors, underlined the importance of the Social Online Learning initiative (SOL) to serve as the first e-learning platform based on Facebook in the Middle East. He pointed out that the initiative provides e-learning services through the learner’s personal account on Facebook, and is conducted in accordance with the highest standards of excellence and quality. Learners who complete the program will receive certificates, while enjoying a wide range of incentives such as affordable costs, easy payment plans, as well as academic support provided by a specialized contact centre.

Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan said: “The new initiative is inspired by the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, aiming to achieve a real change in education, which is a crucial component in the UAE Vision 2021. The new initiative’s role is not limited to education only; it combines educational and social goals, which are primarily based on promoting social responsibility, encouraging the young generation to responsibly use various practical resources on the internet, and reinforcing the culture of e-learning among the youth. This is all in line with the directions of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President HBMeU, to reach out to all young people in the UAE, the Arab world, Africa and Asia.”

“Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we constantly strive to inculcate the culture of learning among the young generation, encouraging them to take advantage of the full benefits of advanced online learning services by participating in leading initiatives such as the Social Online Learning initiative (SOL) and the University’s platform at Kidzania. We look forward to continuing the hard work as we move on to the succeeding phases of the initiative and draw nearer to our ultimate goal of reaching out to the largest number of learners possible,” concluded Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan.

HBMeU will be offering learners an extensive range of lessons including more than 1,200 online lessons in math, sciences, and IT for grades 4-12, based on the best international curricula. The new social online learning service also includes more than 75 online sessions in business skills for adult learners under 10 categories of soft skills, including Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Communication, Talent Development, Marketing and Operation Management, HR Management and Islamic Banking, among others. There are also more than 600 online lessons in English language for all age groups from 3-4 years to adults, based on Cambridge curricula and exams.

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Background information

Launched on February 1, 2009, the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) is the first online institution to be licensed and recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates and among the few in the region.More...

Launched on February 1, 2009, the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) is the first online institution to be licensed and recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates and among the few in the region.

HBMSU is a pioneer in e-learning with a mission to re-shape education by providing a model of lifelong learning, including open access to short courses, executive development programs, certificate and diploma courses leading to accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs.